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R. LEAVITT.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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(Model.)

B. LEAVITT.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Sept.- 25, 1888.

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R. LBAVI T. SEWING MACHINE. No. 285,417. Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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RUFUS LEAVITT,

Unrrn STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO'THE HOW'E MACHINE COMPANY, OFSAME PLACE.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,417, dated.September 25, 1883,

To all whom 211; may concern:

Be it known that I, Burns LEAVITT, a citi Zen of the United States,residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the drawings, and to the letters andfigures of reference marked thereon, which. form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to that class of sewing-machines in which themovement of a vibrating shuttle-lever is derived through an oscillatinglever from a driving-shaft journaled in the goose-neck, or upper part ofthe arm which actuates the needle-bar.

The object of my invention is to adjustably connect the feeding andlifting mechanism by means of which the proper relation with each othermay at all times be maintained; to provide, also, a simple contrivanceto raise the presser-foot a short distance, or half lift, when required;to provide a take-up capable of being adjusted; to provide a guidebar toengage with and guide the needle-bar cam and the means for adjusting thesame; to provide a simple and efficient needle-clamp to be used incombination with a self-setting needle; and, also, an elastic vibratingtongue attachedto the shuttle-carrier on which the shuttle rests, andwhich operates to deaden the noise caused by the shuttle striking thecarrier.

To more clearly understand my invention, reference is had to thedrawings accompanying this specification, and forming part of the same,in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section throughthe center of the goose-neck or arm and a section of the bed through thedotted line 1 of Fig. 2; Fig, 2, a plan view of the bottom of the bedFig. 3, a sectional view of the goose-neck or arm through the dottedline 2 of Fig. 1 and of the bed through the dotted line 3 of Fig. 2;Fig. 4, a broken side elevation of the goose-neck or arm and bed,showing the operation'of the indicator; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, detail views; Fig. 19, an interior view ofthe face-plate; Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 2'11, and 25, detail views; Fig.26, a transverse sectional view of the faceplate, taken through thedotted line 4 of Fig. 19; Fig. 27, a broken edge view of the lowerportion of the face-plate and the flange of the goose-neck or arm; Figs.28, 29,

30, and 31, detail views; Fig. 32, a view of the needle-clamp and aportion of the needlebar; Fig. 33, a longitudinal section of theneedleclamp and needlebar; Fig. 31, an end view of the ncedleclamp andneedle-bar; Fig. 35, an end View of the needle-bar; Fig. 36, a plan viewof the needle-bar, showing the needlelatch attached therein for holdingthe needle; Fig. 37, an end view of the needle-clamp; Fig. 38, a sideview of the bar and latch. Fig. 39 is a plan view of the upper side ofthe shuttle-carrier, with the vibratingtongue attached, showing also aportion of the shuttle-lever; Fig. 10, a side view of theshuttle-carrier and tongue; Fig. 41, a perspective view of the vibrating tongue.

Referring to the figures above mentioned, the'letter A indicates thebed; 13, the goose neclo or arm; C, the face-plate; D, the front flangeof the arm to which the face-plate is attached; E, the driving-shaft; F,the eccentriclever; G, the eccentric-strap attached thereto; H, the1ift-rod; I, the yoke connection attached to the same; J, the feed-camlever; K, the feedlink connected therewith; L, the cam for operating thefeed, lift-rod, and eccentric levers; M, the shuttle-lever; N, thefeed-lever; O, the adj usting-lever; a, a right-angular lug or armsecured in the end thereof; P, the stitch-regulating screw; 12, thestitch-regulating screwnut; Q, the stitch-indicator; R, thestitch-indicator rod; 0, the indicator-swivel; S, the needle-bar cam;(Z, the needle-bar-cam guide; 6 e, adjusting-screws; f f set-screws tosecure the same; T, the presser-bar guide; U, the presser-bar lifter; V,the presser-bar; \V, the needle-bar; X, the take-up; Y, the take-uprocker; g, the take-up rocker-pin; Z, the take up rocker-stud; A, theneedle-clamp; B, the needle-clamp screw; C, the needle-latch; D, theslot in the needlebar for the latch; E, the pin on which the latchswings; F, the shuttle carrier; G, the vibrating tongue.

The levers F and J, Fig. 1, operatein the usual manner on the stud h,which oscillates freely on the center screws, i j, the eccentric IOOlever F being attached thereto by the setscrew K, while the feed-camlever J works freely thereon.

The levers F J and rod H (see Fig. 13) are all connected with andoperated by the cam L, a detached view of which may be seen at Fig. 17attached to a section of shaft E by the setserew Z, also an end view ofthe same, Fig. 18.

One end of the cam L, Fig. 17 is provided with the eccentric I, whichengages with the eccentric-strap G, Fig. 11, for controlling andoperating the lever F. The cam L and eccentric are formed integral fromthe same casting, and that part extending from the shoulder on to theend it constitutes the cam L, and is adapted, from its peculiarconstruction, to 0p crate within a square hole or forked lever havingits sides parallel. It controls and operates the liftrod H and feed-camlever J, as seen at Figs. 15 and 1c.

Fig. 13 represents a view of the oscillating levers F and J, lift-rod H,and cam L, attached to the shaft E, properly grouped and arranged foroperation, but detached from the arm. On the end of the shaft E is theneedle-bar-cam flange J, having the needle-cam roll K, which engageswith the needle-bar cam S, Fig. 12, which represents a view of a sectionof the face-plate, needle-bar, needle-bar cam, and flange J.

Fig. 11 represents a side view of the oscillating or eccentric lever, atthe lower end of which is the ball 0, which engages with the forked endof the shuttle-lever M in the usual manner, the other end, 19, being jointcd to the eccentric-strap G by the screw g, on which the strap G canfreely swing. This strap is attached, as before stated, to the eccentricI of the cam L, and works freely thereon, the strap being separated bythe cut r, and by means of the adjusting-screw s the proper tension ismaintained. When the shuttle has passed through the loop, the point t ofthe eccentric, as it approaches the point a of the strap, will give aslow motion to the shuttle as it nears its extreme throw, and betweenthe points a and t the shuttle will have ceased its movements, and theneedle-bar will beca-rried to its highest position, as indicated at Fig.12. In passing over this upper center it is essential that the lever F,which operates the shuttle-lever, should remain stationary until theneedle-bar is ready to begin its downward movement. The time occupied inpassi ngtho center is short, i t is true,

but long enough to allow movement to the cocentric-lever, so that theshuttle will let go, and will have made considerable progress in itsbackward movement before the needle-bar begins its descent. Now, asthere a deadpoint when the needle-bar has reached its highest position,there should also be a corresponding dead-point on the eccentric-lever,and this is successfully accomplished by means of the eccentric-strap G.The highest point t of the eccentric I, in traveling from the point u ofthe strap to the point t of the same, Fig. 11, merely lifts the strap G,which swings on connection-screw q, while the lever F remainsstationary. This gives the time required for the needle-bar to pass thedead-center. When this is passed, the highest point t of the eccentrio1, approaching in the direction of the arrow toward the point a of thestrap, imparts motion to the lever F and carries it to the otherextremity of its throw, as indicated by the dotted position F Thus theshuttle and needle pull together and the stitch is fully completed,leaving no slack threads, the upper and lower threads being drawn firmlyonto the fabric and the loop or look formed in the center of the same.This is what is called the Howe stitch.

The feed-lever N, Fig. 2, works on the uni versal joint L, and its end Mis connected to the feed-bar N, which carries the feed-surface O. Theother end, 1), of lever N is provided with the adjusting screw P, asseen more clearly at Fig. 18, which rep resents a sectional View of theadjustingscrew P and end '0 of the feed-lever through the dotted line 5,Fig. 14.

The screw P has the hole 20, preferably rounding at the bottom toreceive the ball-shaped end so of the lift-rod H. The screw P andlift-rod H are kept in contact by the spring The connection of thelift-rod H with the feedlever N would be a difficult thing to accomplishwere it not for the adj Listing-screw P, by means of which they arereadily brought in contact. The other end of the rod H is looselyconnected with the yokel by the screw 2, and the yoke is opera-ted bythe cam L, Fig. 15, which shows that portion of rod H above the dottedline 6, Fig. 13. The yokelis provided with the adjusting-screw a tocompensate for wear. Said yoke I is also connected with and swingsfreely on the screw b, Fig. 3, which shows the small portion 0 of therear of the arm in full. The end of this screw or pin 1) enters the hole(1 of the yoke, Fig. 15. This connection is necessary, as the yoke isloosely connected to the lift-rod H, and it operates to keep it inproper position in relation to the cam L. The central portion oflift-rod H is not intended to fit the stud h,- but the hole 6 of the rodis made sufficiently large to clear the stud h as it rises and fallswith the'feed. The feed cam L also operates in the forked end of thelever J against the perpendicular sides a a Fig. 16, which representsthat portion above the dotted line 6 of Fig. 13. The forked end isadjusted to compensate for wear by adjusting-screw g, and the lower end,71, is forked to receive the feedlink K, which works freely on the screwi.

lVhen the eccentric-lever F is in the position as shown in full lines,Fig. 11, the needlebar, as before stated, is at its highest point, andthe feed-surface 0, Fig. 1, is raised to its highest position. WVhen thelever F begins its backward movement, the cam L will lift the rod H, andas the feed-lever N is attached to the rod H by the spring y, it willraise the end of the lever N back of the universal joint L, Figs. 1 and2, and cause the feed-surface 0 to drop. Then the cam L will occupy theposition in relation to the yoke I as seen at Fig. 15. The distance fromthe point j to the point Z of the cam, Fig. 15, represents the highestpart of the same, and the cam, in traveling the distance between thesetwo points will hold the lift-rod H up and the feed-surbeen carried backto its starting-point by the lever J. The point I of camL will thenengage the lower surface, on, of the yoke-depressing rod H and lover N,raising the feed-surface above the bed in a position to feed forward,which is effected by-cain L coming in contact with the fork of lever J,when the cam will occupy the position as represented at Fig. 3,

the point I engaging with the face a and can I gages with the roll q ofthe feed-lever N, (see Fig. 3,) a better view of which roll is seen atFig. 14, where the roll q is attached to the lever N, said leverengaging with feed-bar N, Fig. 2, which carries the teed-surface O, andby such action of the link K said feed-surface is moved forward. Theobject of the roll g on the lever N is to enable it to travel up anddown on the face 1) of the link K when the leverN rises and falls withthe lift-rod H, thereby reducing the friction of these surfaces.

WVhen the cam L is in the position in relation to the lever J indicatedby Fig. 16, the feed-surface will have traveled its full limit, and willbe held in that position until after the point Z of the cam L leaves theperpendicular face a of the fork. In the meantime the point jof the camengages with the yoke,

Fig. 15, raising the same, causing the feed-dog or surface to drop bythe operation, as before stated. The point j will then engage with theopposite face, a", of the fork of lever J and carry the feed -surfaceback to its startingpoint. NVhile the feed-surface is below the bed, andon its return movement, the needle will have descended and withdrawnfrom the fabric in time for the levers, by the operation as stated, toraise and carry the surface forward. A decided advantage is thusobtained by having the actuating-levers operated by the same cam, asthey can more readily be adjusted and accurately timed in theirrespective movements in relation to each other than could beaccomplished if they were operated by independent cams. All that isrequired in setting a cam such as described is to place it in a positionso that any one of the levers will be correctly timed, and all the restwill operate in perfect harmony with it.

A hole is provided inthe end of the adjusting-lever O to receive theshank r of the lug a, (see side elevation, Fig. 5,) which is securedtherein by the set-screw s. The lug a is arranged to be adjusted to thecircle 0 of link K. (See Fig. 6.) The lever O is operated by thestitch-screw P, Fig. '3, the lower end, t face below the bed until thefeed-surface has of which is threaded and fits a corresponding threadedhole, i in the nut b, a top view of which is seen at Fig. 7 and aperspeetiveview at Fig. 8. adjusting-lever, Fig. 5, and oscillatesfreely therein. The lever O, swinging freely on the screw m of the lug Zof the bed, is raised and lowered by means of the stitch-screw P, andvaries the length of the stitch by changing the position of the lug a onthe circle 0 of the link K. The spring situated between the lever O andthe bottom of the bed A, operates to carry the lever down when the screwP is turned back. The lever 0 describes in its and down the link K.Therefore the elongated hole a is provided in lever 0, Fig. 6, extendingthrough the same, to allow free play to the screw P in the oscillatingmovement of the lever. The length of the stitch is shown on the plate Q,by the pointer b of the indicator Q, Fig. 4, which latter swings on the.screw 0*, situated in the arm' 13, the short arm d of the indicatorconnecting with the rod R, which passes through the hole 0- of piston-1ever 0, Fig. 6, and has attached to it by the set-screw If the roundswivel c. Said swivel oscillates freely in the hole of lever 0, Fig. 5,similar in its operation to the nut Z). A section of rod R, with theset-serew, is shown at Fig. 9. By turning the screw 1? to the right orleft, the position of the lever 0 will be altercd, and by means of theindicator the length of stitch indicated on the plate Q. To prevent thelever 0 from being carried down so low as to drop from the link K, thepointj of the lever will engage with the shoulder m in the lug Z Fig.3,and arrest its progress, the projection a of the lever engaging with thebottom of the bed to limit the travel upward.

Fig. 19represents a view of the interior of the face-plate C, (1indicating the needle-cam guide bar, resting on the supports a" and n ofthe plate. A view of bar (1 may be seen at Fig. 21, having the threadedholes p p to receive the threaded bushings c c, a view of one of whichis shown at Fig. 23.

Fig. 22 is a section of bar (1 through the (lotted line 7, Fig. 21.

Fig. 24 1s a top view of the bushing provided with the hole f for theset-screw f, Fig. 25, which screws into the supports a n of the plate. a

On the needle-bar cam S, Fig. 20, is the guide g", which fits theguide-bar (Z and travels on the same, operating to keep the cam leveland prevent cramping. Any llllPQl'fGO tion in theconstruction of the camor change of position of the needle-bar to which the cam is attached, orany difference in the height of The nut I) enters the hole 10 of the thesupports a a which would interfere with the travel of the cam, may becounteracted by the adjustment provided at each end of the bar d.

The bottoms h of the bushings, Fig. 23, rest on the supports it" it, andeach end of the bar (I is adjusted independently until the proper levelis obtained in relation to the cam, when the bar is secured firmly downby the setscrewsfj".

(f, Figs. 19 and 26, is a central bearing projecting from the innersurface of the faceplate O, to support the needle-bar and counteract'anytendency of the same to spring laterally or be deflected from a straightline, which would cause it to stick and bind in the bearings in the endsB and S of the faceplate; but it does not operate in any manner toprevent the bar turning on its axis.

The mechanism which controls the take-up is similar in construction andoperation to others of this class, except that an adjustment is providedon the take-up for the purpose of placing the same in the properposition in relation to the thread, and also to compensate for wear. Theroll T operates against the camshaped periphery WV of the flange J, Fil2, and is connected by the pin .9 to the arm 10* of the rocker Y. Tothe arm 10" is attached the retractile spring 12 and to the arm 12" issecured the take-up X. The rocker Y oscillates on the stud Z. Aperspective view of the rocker and roll is seen at Fig. 31. The take up,Fig. 30, has the elongated hole to for the screw 51 and the pin-hole afor the pin on the arm c of the rocker. By means of the elongated hole10" of the take-up, it may be adj usted and placed in its properposition in relation to the thread; also, in case of wear by constantmotion of the roll T on the flange J, which will reduce their surfacesand give a different time to the take-up, it can be adjusted to itsoriginal position.

Fig. 28 represents a perspective view of the presser-bar guide T, havingthe hole T for presser-bar and transverse slots t t" to admit theguide-pin c of the presser-bar, Fig.29. The guide T, Fig. 28, has theflange m, which enters the slot m" of the face-plate C, Fig. 27.

The screw 0" in the flange D of the arm B retains the flange m" of theguide against the side of theslot m The screw 0 supports the lifter,which also operates in the slot m.

Fig. 19 represents the guide T on the pressen bar V, and immediatelybelow the guide is the spring a, which operates to keep the guide up tothe pin a" of the bar V, said pin resting in the slots tand t of theguide, which prevents the bar from turning when the presser-foot is onthe work. hen necessary to swing the foot A around, the bar V is raised,lifting the pin a out of the slots of the guide T, the pin resting ontop of same. (See dotted position of foot A, showing also the positionof pin a In fancy stitching, embroidering, &c., it is necessary atcertain points to turn the work with as little delay as possible, and todo so it is usual to raise the foot from the fabric sufficient torelieve the pressure, and when the direction of the stitching has beenchanged the foot is permitted to drop. In machines of the ordinaryconstruction it is inconvenient to reach and operate the lifter,situated as it is at the back of the face-plate, as both hands of theoperator are required to guide the work; but by means of. the push-rod,provided as shown at Fig. 19, the operator has perfect control of thelift without removing the hands from the work.

B is the push-rod, operating in a transverse slot of the face-plate O.and having thebutton or head 2 projecting from the plate nearest theoperator, the other end, (1, of the rod engaging with the handle of thelifter U. Vhen necessary to lift the foot, the operator can reach thebutton or head i with the thumb and push it in until the cut or not-chfof the rod B coincides with the side wall, Z*, of the plate 0, when thepressure of the spring D*, acting through the medium of the guide T andlifter U, will cause it to engage therewith. By pressing downward on thebutton i the notch f will be disengaged and the foot lowcred, therebycarrying the push-rod back to its original position.

Fig. '32 is a section of the needlebar \V and needle-clamp A attached tothe same.

Fig. 37 is an end view of the clamp. The hole B represents the size ofthe needle-bar proper.

Fig. 35 represents-an end view of the nee dle-bar, showing the groove Dto receive the needle and its latch. One side of the needle shank isflattened, and such flat side of the same rests on the bottom 1) of thegroove D, said groove being cut in the needle-bar a dis tance sufficientfor the latch O to operate on the pin E, the latter extendingtransversely through the bar, Fig. 38.

The clamp A (Fig. 33, which represents a view taken through the dottedline 8, Fig. 34) is placed on the small or reduced end E of theneedle-bar, the inner surface of the clamp A resting 011 top ofthe latchC, the screw B holding it firmly thereon, thus securing the needle. Thepoint of the set-screw B is re duced in size, and enters the hole Gprovided in the bar WV. opposite the latch, Figs. 33 and 34L, thusserving to prevent the clamp A from dropping off.

The shoulder H of the latch 0, Figs. 38 and 33, is intended as a stopfor the needleshank I and determines the height of the needle.

J is a thread-slot in clamp, and K wirethread guide.

The vibrating tongue G, Fig. 39, is constructed of thin metal, and issecured to the shuttle-carrier F by the screw L", the shank M of thetongue resting 011 the shank N of the carrier. The tongue G is raisedabove the surface a of the carrier, Fig. 40, leaving an open spacebetween them for vibration of the former. The shuttle will rest on thesurface 2 of the tongue, and the end .2 of the tongue, which is bentupward, will support the point or'nose of the shuttle. In machines ofthe ordinary construction, when the shuttle-thread is pulling up, theshuttle is raised from the surface of the carrier, and as it lets :gosuddenly the shuttle will drop 011 the carrier and make a disagreeableclicking noise.

This is entirely avoided and prevented by the vibrating tongue, as abovedescribed. The tongue, constructed, as it is, of thin metal, is verysensitive and readily yields to the shuttle, thus preventing the latterfrom striking hard on the carrier.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto'secure by Letters Patent, is- I 1. The combination, with thefeed-lever N and cam L, of the lift-rod H, for raising and lowering thefeed, the lower end of said rod being adjustably connected to one end ofthe lever N by the screw P, and said screw being brought and held incontact with rod H by the spring y, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the lift-rod H, adjustably connected to thefeed-lever N, of the yoke I, loosely connected to said lift-rod H, andoperated and controlled by the cam L, situated on the driving-shaft E,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a vibrating oscillating feed-lever situatedbelow the bed, and

. a vertical oscillatory lever having its upper end forked to engagewith the feed-cam on the driving-shaft, of the feed-link K, looselyconnected to the lower end of said vertical lever, said link engagingwith a frictionroll situated 011 the vibrating feed-lever, and anadjustinglink K, and having between its ends thelooselyfitting nut orbushing b, transversely situated in said adjusting-lever, said bushinghaving a threaded hole to engage the threaded end of the stitch-screw,by means of which the adjusting-lever is raised and lowered and thelength of the stitch is regulated, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the needle-bar anda needle-cam attached thereon,and a guide provided on the needlecam, with the adjustable guide-barhaving threaded bushings or rings 6. In a sewing-machine, thecombination of the cam-shaped flange J, the take-up rocker Y, havingarms w 10%;, stud Z, take-up roll T, and spring v with the adjustabletake-up X, having elongated slot w and pin-hole x and arranged tobe'pivoted to the pin 9 of the rocker, and secured thereon by thesetscrew y", as described. 7

a 7. The combination, in a sewing-machine, of the presser-bar V, havingthe pin a situated transversely in said bar, the-guide T, havingtransverse slots or grooves t and t, to receive the pin a, the flange mto engage with the lifter by means of which the bar is raised, the adjusting'screw c", to hold the guide T in position, and the spring a, bymeans of which the guide is kept in contact with the pin a of thepresser-bar, the bar being arranged, as described, to be liftedfrom theslots or grooves of the guide, and then swung around in any positionrequired, as specified.

8. The combination, with the needle and the face-plate, of a centralstationary bearing for said needlebar, projecting from the inner surfaceof said face-plate, said bearing being constructed with a concave recessadapted to partially embrace said needle-bar, whereby the latter isprevented from springing laterally, substantially as set forth.

, 9. The combination, with the face-plate G and lifter U, of thepush-rod B having notch f and head a, said push-rodbeing transverselysituated in plate 0, and having the end (1" arranged in contact with thelifter, by means of which the presser-foot is slightly raised, asdesired, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the needle-bar NV, having its lower end, Esmaller than the bar proper, and the groove D formed in said lower endto receive the shank of the needle, of the pivoted latch O, swinging onthe pin E, said latch overlying the needle-shank, and being providedwith the stop or shoulder H to determine the height of the needle, andthe shell-clamping device A, encircling the small end E" of theneedle-bar, and having thumbscrew B, by means of which the shell A isbrought firmly down on the latch and the needle held in place, asdescribed.

11.. I11 a sewing-machine, the combination, with the shuttle-carrier, ofan overlying vibrating tongue attached to. the said carrier, the saidtongue being arranged to support the shuttle and maintain its properlevel in rela tion to the loop, and adapted to slightly yield to thesudden j ar or fall of the shuttle and recover its former position,substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

I11 testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

I RUFUS LEAVITT. [n s.]

Vitnesses:

I. B. PRINDLE, P. W. I-IARTSHORN.

ICC

